Goodnight. Sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite! This may seem like a silly saying as you put your kids to bed, but it’s worth taking note! Bed bugs can show up almost anywhere, anytime. They’re extremely hardy pests that can live for weeks without feeding. Once they do find a meal, though, they can bite many times and cause endless discomfort for you and your family.
How to Identify a Bed Bug Infestation?
Bed bugs are hard to spot. Somewhat like the monster under the bed, they are great at hiding. Adult bed bugs are tough to see, and immature bed bugs are basically impossible to find with the naked eye. Unlike the monster, bed bugs do come out at night, and they will bite you. Instead of seeing the bugs, you’re more likely to see the evidence that they’ve been feeding on your blood. Bed bugs often bite in a line or cluster, anywhere you had exposed skin when you were sleeping. The bites are usually small, red bumps that can itch for days. If you wake up with itchy bites, chances are you have a bed bug infestation. Check your mattress and bedding for shed skins or dark spots, which could be fecal matter or even blood drips from their feeding session.
Are Bed Bugs Dangerous?
Bed bugs aren’t as dangerous as some other pests. They don’t carry dangerous diseases like ticks and fleas, they aren’t poisonous like black widow spiders, and they don’t sting like wasps or hornets. That doesn’t mean you want these little guys around, though. They may not sting, but they do bite, and their bites are very uncomfortable. Plus, bed bugs multiply quickly. If you ignore this pest, they will soon be everywhere in your home, and you’ll also be at risk of spreading them to your friends and neighbors. They’ll continue to bite you for as long as they’re living in your bed. Plus, bed bugs have been known to cause allergic reactions in some people.
Can You Prevent Bed Bugs?
The bad news is, it’s impossible to completely prevent bed bugs. Bed bugs are traveler bugs, meaning they can easily go from one place to another. They travel with humans in suitcases, in clothing, in bags, even in computers. You probably think of bed bugs living in hotels, but they can also be found in buses, airplanes, even restaurants and movie theaters. The best way to prevent them is to learn to identify them. When you’re in a place with soft fabrics, take a quick check for dark spots or bugs.
How Do You Get Rid of Bed Bugs?
The good news is, Havard Pest Control knows how to fight back against bed bugs. If bed bugs do get into your house, you’ll want the professionals to get rid of them as soon as possible. Over-the-counter treatments are often full of heavy chemicals that can be dangerous to your family. Plus, these treatments are rarely effective, since you might not find each and every bed bug that needs eliminated. Many over-the-counter treatments only target adult bed bugs, but for effective relief you’ll need to kill bed bugs in every stage of development. At Havard Pest Control, we know how to do that. Give us a shout if you suspect you might have bed bugs in your Hattiesburg home. While bed bugs are a real pest, we can make them feel as distant as the boogie man.